Iranian President "Ordered Investigation Immediately After Ukraine Passenger Plane Crash"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] The Iranian government is trying to quell national criticism and suspicion that it lied to hide the fact that it shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane.

On the 14th (local time), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on state television, "The moment I received the report that the passenger plane had crashed in the early morning of the 8th, I suspected it was an abnormal incident and immediately ordered a swift investigation into the truth."

He continued, "The Iranian people ask why it took so long to confirm the shootdown and whether the truth was being concealed," adding, "The Supreme National Security Council led the investigation starting from the morning of the 8th, and the truth was accurately confirmed only on the 10th."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on the morning of the 11th that the passenger plane did not crash due to a technical defect but was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, and that it was an unintended mistake amid a wartime-like tense situation.

President Rouhani emphasized, "This accident was not the fault of a single person who pressed the missile launch button," and stated, "The judiciary will form a special tribunal to determine right and wrong together with experts."